Provided a U.S. official can pass routine (often quite superficial) security clearances before taking up his appointment, he is unlikely to be found out.

FORBES: The Petraeus Affair and the Risk of Blackmail: Another Nail In America's Coffin

Every day, more Afghans are stepping up and taking responsibility for their own security.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and President Karzai Hold a Press Conference | The White House

Here's why: For every year you delay taking full benefits, your eventual Social Security payout will go up by as much as 8%.

WSJ: It's Never Too Soon to Start Planning Your Retirement

Like any incident like this, what we do is take the prudent steps afterward to make sure that we have our vigilance up, that we are taking the appropriate measures so that our security posture is strong, both overseas and here.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

As the Iraqi security forces stand up, their confidence is growing and they are taking on tougher and more important missions on their own.

NPR: Bush Reaffirms Iraq Strategy

Similarly, taking Social Security later rather than earlier and continuing to earn some income can also bulk up your income through your retirement.

WSJ: Getting Going: The Case for Spending It

Afghan troops are already responsible for security in Kabul, and are increasingly taking the lead in Kandahar, where they make up more than 60 percent of the fighting forces.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review

In total, more than 50 officers, pretty much the entire street force in the county, engaged in preparatory activity: clearing out the neighborhood, establishing a security perimeter, setting up robots, placing snipers, preparing a warrant, and taking extra precautions as they attempted a safe and legal arrest.

FORBES: 21st Century Tech Saves Lives In Marijuana County

The Department of Homeland Security is taking a careful approach, wary of costly mistakes in past government attempts to set up electronic border surveillance.

WSJ: Battlefield Blimps to Patrol U.S.-Mexico Borders